“We need to get the public interested in this. It is not something that is just reserved for town departments to participate in,” Paul H. Boudo, chairman of the committee, said during an interview in the municipal building.

The money may used for projects in the areas of open space, historical resources, recreational land and affordable housing. Private groups are eligible for funding.

Funds may not be used toward anything the city already owns. However, the committee has recommended to the Town Council that it award $4,900 to refurbish the stone bridge in Mittineague Park as part of disbursements for last year. That project is eligible for funding despite the fact that the park is owned by the city because the bridge has historical value, according to Boudo.

The requirement is unfortunate because the city has about 18 ball fields, many of which need work, Boudo said.

There is a bill in the Legislature that would lift that requirement, he said.

The city is in particular need of developing affordable housing, Boudo said, but added that it is hard to do projects in West Springfield because there is so little developable land.

“We seriously need to put money into housing,” Boudo said.

The Town Council adopted the Community Preservation Act in 2008. It allowed for a 1 percent property surtax with the first $100,000 of assessed value of residential property being exempt. It collects about $500,000 a year from city taxpayers. The state matches those funds at the rate of 27 percent a year.

Applications are available in the Town Clerk’s Office in the municipal building and in the Community Development Office at 776 Main St. Forms should be returned to the Committee Preservation Committee, 26 Central St., Suite 35, West Springfield, MA 01089.